India Border Troops 'tortured' Maoist Suspects

13 September 2010

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11280110

This article follows the recent claims of torture on villagers by police in the central state, Chhattisgarh. The state has an ongoing battle with the Maoist rebels (also know as Naxalites). While the rebels claim to be fighting for the rights of the rural poor the violence has escalated in the past months, with 76 policemen killed in April. Prime Minister Singh has called the rebel dispute India’s biggest internal security challenge. The Border Security Force (BFS) is charged with using force and electric shock to interrogate the villagers on the rebel’s activities. Daily claims of deadly violence on both ends shows how the villagers in need are continuously caught in the crossfire and receiving little in return.

The Naxalite movement does not receive a lot of coverage in international media but as Prime Minister Singh stated it is a highly volatile and growing insurgency. With the Maoist’s attention on the poor and the government’s inability to meet demands, membership and strength seems to be increasing. I think this conflict is important because it shows the difficulties that India’s police and military are having with internal conflicts. It also highlights ethical questions similar to what we see in interrogation techniques in the US. This Maoist example shows the vastness of Indian politics and the disparity between resources, ideologies and priorities within the nation.